Also called Ground strikes, GnP
Ground and pound means taking the opponent down, holding a dominant top position and striking with punches, hammerfists or elbows where the rules allow. It wears opponents down, forces them to open up for submissions and can stop the fight. Control comes first: strike only when the position is stable enough that they cannot escape.
Satori's coaches are filming every technique, full speed and slow motion from two angles. Until it's up, the diagram shows the movement step by step.
How to do it
- 1Land in a dominant top position such as half guard, side control or mount.
- 2Pin one of their wrists or their head with one hand to limit their defence.
- 3Keep your base: knees wide and hips heavy so they cannot bridge you off.
- 4Strike with short punches or hammerfists, turning your hips rather than just your arm.
- 5When they cover up or turn away, move to mount or take the back for a submission.
- Posturing so high to punch that the opponent escapes or sweeps you.
- Throwing big punches that miss and hit the mat.
- Forgetting the submission when the opponent turns away.
Safety: Never strike a training partner's head on the ground; use pads or a grappling dummy, and leave live ground strikes to coach-approved MMA sparring in full gear.
Drills
Your partner lies on their back holding a focus mitt beside their head; from mount, keep your base as they bridge lightly and strike the mitt, not the partner.
Legends known for it
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